Willie Nelson: For Real Or Placeholder?

I searched for this elsewhere, so hopefully this post isn't redundant. However, Willie Nelson's placement near the top of the bill seems out of place to me (sorry Willie fans!). Yes, I understand that he may be playing both festivals, but I have to wonder if he is really serving as a placeholder for another (yet-to-be-announced) artist. Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by malcolmjamalawesome

I'd rather see my own gruesome rape and subsequent beheading than see Rammstein.

Re: Willie Nelson: For Real Or Placeholder?

Re: Willie Nelson: For Real Or Placeholder?

Originally Posted by ayates

Uhh, assuming he is playing, they aren't even playing the same day. What are you blathering about?

Exactly. In fact, it will be even worse... getting blown out by Rage Against The Machine. The only way I see that one playing out would be if Rage played early (until 11pm), and then Willie had the 11-midnight slot (very unlikely).

If he plays, I think that it will be an earlier slot on one of the two stages.

Originally Posted by malcolmjamalawesome

I'd rather see my own gruesome rape and subsequent beheading than see Rammstein.

Re: Willie Nelson: For Real Or Placeholder?

Originally Posted by sacleonard

Exactly. In fact, it will be even worse... getting blown out by Rage Against The Machine.

I think they try to counter-program the headliners with people drawing from very different fanbases and crowds. I think that RATM and Willie Nelson would have very little overlap, and would have totally different moods. People who don't want to bust heads in the pit for Rage can chill out at the second stage with Willie. That's not "being blown out," that's just smart booking.

Re: Willie Nelson: For Real Or Placeholder?

Originally Posted by dizfactor

I think they try to counter-program the headliners with people drawing from very different fanbases and crowds. I think that RATM and Willie Nelson would have very little overlap, and would have totally different moods. People who don't want to bust heads in the pit for Rage can chill out at the second stage with Willie. That's not "being blown out," that's just smart booking.

That would make sense much like last year. They had Tool and the Scissor Sisters play at the same time. Two TOTALLY different fan bases. I hadn't thought about the decoy factor until just now and while it might serve to be bogus I'll remain a skeptic because that's my nature with these festival lineups.

Re: Willie Nelson: For Real Or Placeholder?

Originally Posted by dizfactor

That's not "being blown out," that's just smart booking.

I'm not saying it isn't smart to have him go up against Rage (yes, not RHCP as I misstated before). I'm just saying if he does he'll get blown out by the music from the main stage. A louder electric rock or hip-hop act would stand a better chance, judging from my previous Coachella experiences.

Re: Willie Nelson: For Real Or Placeholder?

I wanna see Willie, but Im probably gonna go to Stagecoach, so I'll catch him there. As for the placeholder theory...interesting. I doubt it, but would be cool. Would still love to see Portishead stuck in there.

Re: Willie Nelson: For Real Or Placeholder?

Originally Posted by MrAmeche

I'm not saying it isn't smart to have him go up against Rage (yes, not RHCP as I misstated before). I'm just saying if he does he'll get blown out by the music from the main stage. A louder electric rock or hip-hop act would stand a better chance, judging from my previous Coachella experiences.

Really? I've never had a problem with that. I've been at the second stage with some awfully loud headliners on the main stage and I've never had any problems hearing. I've always been kind of amazed at how well the sound systems are set up that I feel like each stage is a sonic world of its own, no matter who's playing next door.

Re: Willie Nelson: For Real Or Placeholder?

I don't think GV has never put a "placeholder" on a poster before. That sounds kind of shady, honestly. But then again they deliberately fooled people into thinking The Police were playing this year, so I guess anything's possible.

Re: Willie Nelson: For Real Or Placeholder?

Originally Posted by dizfactor

Really? I've never had a problem with that. I've been at the second stage with some awfully loud headliners on the main stage and I've never had any problems hearing. I've always been kind of amazed at how well the sound systems are set up that I feel like each stage is a sonic world of its own, no matter who's playing next door.

It all depends on where you are situated, of course. If you're on the edge of the mainstage area, you could very well get some 2nd stage bleeding through, and vice versa. I think MF Doom was clearly audible during the sheer quietness of Radiohead's 'Exit Music for a film' in 2004.

Re: Willie Nelson: For Real Or Placeholder?

Originally Posted by dizfactor

I feel like each stage is a sonic world of its own, no matter who's playing next door.

I could literally make out RHCP lyrics during Interpol in 2003, and I've noted a fair amount of soundbleed from the Sahara tent into whichever tent is adjacent. But overall, I will say Coachella does a better job with this than other festivals I've been to.

Re: Willie Nelson: For Real Or Placeholder?

Originally Posted by microcuts

I don't think GV has never put a "placeholder" on a poster before. That sounds kind of shady, honestly. But then again they deliberately fooled people into thinking The Police were playing this year, so I guess anything's possible.

This is true, but maybe Willie will forget to file his taxes and will be unavailable for April 29th. In any event, it is an interesting theory as to why GV would book him for two shows in consecutive weeks. That's pretty weak and strange at the same time.

Re: Willie Nelson: For Real Or Placeholder?

Originally Posted by MrAmeche

I'm not saying it isn't smart to have him go up against Rage (yes, not RHCP as I misstated before). I'm just saying if he does he'll get blown out by the music from the main stage. A louder electric rock or hip-hop act would stand a better chance, judging from my previous Coachella experiences.

That was my point... not who's better, but that Rage will over-shadow his set from across the lawn.

Originally Posted by malcolmjamalawesome

I'd rather see my own gruesome rape and subsequent beheading than see Rammstein.

Re: Willie Nelson: For Real Or Placeholder?

Originally Posted by noisemachine

I wanna see Willie, but Im probably gonna go to Stagecoach, so I'll catch him there. As for the placeholder theory...interesting. I doubt it, but would be cool. Would still love to see Portishead stuck in there.

Re: Willie Nelson: For Real Or Placeholder?

Re: Willie Nelson: For Real Or Placeholder?

Originally Posted by ayates

In any event, it is an interesting theory as to why GV would book him for two shows in consecutive weeks.

Well, look at Johnny Cash. He sold a metric fuckton of albums when he was repackaged in such a way as to reintroduce him to a Coachella sort of audience. Maybe Willie wants a chance to expose his work to that same audience, and since he's playing in the area the next week anyway...

Re: Willie Nelson: For Real Or Placeholder?

Yeah, but he gets the best pot and has history so let him play. I remember reading somewhere that The Secret Machines saw him live at Austin City Limits and they said he was absolutly amazing. What do we know of his live shows anyways? Give the hick a chance I say!!!